If oddball micro cars are your thing, this Exclusive might be right up your alley! The Isetta is easily one of the most iconic micro cars, with appearances in lots of movies and television shows over the years. Values have steadily climbed over the years, so clearly there is a large following. Reader Rick P has two of these and has decided it doesn’t make sense to try and restore both, so he is letting go of this one. It needs work, but is complete and comes with most of the parts needed to finish it. You can find it in Bethel, Connecticut and he’s asking $14,000 or best offer. If you would love to take it on, be sure to message him via for the form below.
From Rick – BMW Isetta with running engine, but needs restoration. If you fix the brakes, suspension, weld in the new floor (it comes with one), install the windshield (it comes with one), install a muffler, do something with the seat & interior and you could drive it as is. But of course it is up to you. Personally, I would finish restoring it, but I have another Isetta that I am doing and right now I do not need two of them.
The body isn’t too bad, but the floor is completely rusted through. Again, it comes with a new floor from Isettas ‘R’ Us and a new windshield.
The engine currently runs, but the rest of mechanical systems should be gone through. The interior has been stripped – seat has horse hair hanging out of it (looks like it at least). It will need to be redone and put back together.
Given it’s size, I don’t think it would be too difficult of a project. Replacing the floor will definitely be the most difficult part of the entire project. Having the replacement floor is a nice bonus and will save you a little money. You can get every piece to restore these cars fairly easily and again, they really aren’t difficult to work on.
Special thanks to Rick for listing his Isetta with us! If you happen to have a project that needs to go, please consider listing it with us. And if you would like to finish this project, be sure to send Rick a message!
Which would be more fun at the end of the day..restored Marmon or restore Isetta? Isetta will be worth more, which to me seems very strange.
Not in this world……..
Just looking at the Hayabusa in my garage and thinking. Dangerous?
Here in Philadelphia, when I was a kid, Wee Willie Weber (who by the way was 6’6″) used to open every show by driving onto the set and peel himself outta one of these…High-larious!!! 😆
That was my dads first car. I have a great photo somewhere of him and my mom crammed in there on their wedding day. He once fell asleep at the wheel and rolled upside down into a ditch. But he righted it and pushed it back up to the road himself and drove home……
A car that size would really suit a lot of beginners as a confidence builder.. Of course, driving down the street you’d probably get a lot of kids yelling at the “Minion” car. And that would be even more fun!
They be selling great at Barrett-Jackson auctions.. Isetta’s and the Heinkle’s that looked the same were early Smart Cars! The tops was the escape hatch , cause the door was in front.. Dan Short restored a Heinkle not long ago and he had to travel to the UK for parts!
Heres an idea, Put in the ad your location or general area. would be helpful. :)
“Jacks Toy is a BMW Isetta” on You Tube (from petrolicious) is a splendid video tribute to one man and his Isetta…..well worth viewing !
A guy near me has one of these with a 600cc Suzuki engine squeezed in.